Activation of γδ T Cells by Bisphosphonates

Keith Thompson, Anke J. Roelofs, Marjo Jauhiainen, Hannu Mönkkönen, Jukka Mönkkönen, and Michael J. Rogers

Abstract After decades of successful clinical use, the exact molecular mechanisms by which the anti-resorptive bisphosphonate drugs (BPs) exert their effects are now being revealed. In addition to their anti-resorptive effects, it is now apparent that nitrogen-containing BPs (N-BPs) have immunomodulatory properties. Specifically, these drugs activate immune cells called gamma, delta T lymphocytes. In this chapter we discuss the mechanism of gamma, delta T cell activation by N-BPs and propose that N-BPs may provide a safe and effective means for manipulating gamma,delta T cell activity in future immunotherapeutic approaches.